Photo John Kenney, The Gazette

I've paired this parfait with nectarines and strawberries, but raspberries and juicy peaches would be just as delicious. A sprinkling of toasted almonds or pine nuts will add a welcome crunch. Serve with a chilled Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.

2 cups (500 mL) 35-per-cent cream

200 g (1 tube) marzipan (such as Odense brand)

1 egg

1 tablespoon (15 mL) Amaretto*

1 tablespoon (15 mL) orange zest or chopped candied orange peel

6 egg yolks

4 ripe nectarines, sliced

2 cups (500 mL) strawberries, hulled and sliced

About 1 tablespoon (15 mL) honey, preferably Provencal lavender honey

8-10 fresh lavender flowers

* You can substitute 1 teaspoon (5 mL) almond extract dissolved in 2 teaspoons (10 mL) water.

1. Whip cream to soft peaks and keep refrigerated. Lightly spray a 6-cup (1.5 L) terrine mould or 9-by-5-by-21/2-inch (2 L) loaf pan with vegetable spray, and line completely with plastic wrap.
2. Break the almond paste into small pieces in a large bowl. Add the whole egg, amaretto and orange zest, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer until thick and lump-free. Add egg yolks one at a time and continue beating until mixture is well blended.
3. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir mixture constantly until it is hot to the touch and just begins to scramble (about 2-3 minutes). Immediately remove from heat, and beat again at high speed with the mixer until the mixture has doubled in volume and is cool to the touch.
4. Stir one-third of the whipped cream into the egg mixture to lighten the texture, then, with a rubber spatula, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Pour mixture into the prepared mould, wrap and freeze for at least 12 hours.
5. To serve: Toss nectarines and strawberries in a large bowl with the honey and lavender blossoms picked from their stems. Remove parfait from the freezer and pull on plastic wrap to lift it out of the mould. Peel off the plastic and slice with a sharp, clean knife. Spoon some fruit next to the parfait and serve immediately.